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User Input: The Score is Still Q to 12!

By , on May 27th, 2011

No cheating!

An interesting bit of conversation sprung up in yesterday’s User Input, and it’s one that has had me thinking about it for almost 24 hours now. Specifically, we were discussing “growing up” and the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Within my group of friends, there is a certain insistence on maintaining our childhood. As I said yesterday, it’s not actually immaturity; immaturity implies that we never actually grew up at all. We, on the other hand, tried growing up, didn’t like it, and consciously opted to maintain a certain level of childlike innocence, randomness, and sense of fun. It makes life much more worth living. I have gone to work several times in a suit and tie and wearing my trademark cow tuque. It’s funny how often I’ve heard the phrase, “I can’t believe you’re wearing that”. But why not? It’s warm, it’s fun, and it makes people smile. Why isn’t everyone wearing one?

To a certain extent, there really is no reason for all of us to grow up completely. I think it’s important to maintain a certain conscious immaturity; otherwise, you’re going to grow old before your time, and we might as well book you into a nursing home now.

So, how about it? Let’s talk toys. What toys do you have that you still play with you keep around for sentimental reasons you still play with?

["User Input" is the AtomicToasters Question of the Day™ asking you, the teeming millions, to answer our pressing questions.]

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57 comments to User Input: The Score is Still Q to 12!

  • tiberiusẅisë
    May 27, 2011 at 9:28 am · Reply

    My dog Trillian. Obviously not the same one from my childhood but she might as well be. Beagle mix. Likes to go for walks, will occasionally fetch, can't catch anything in her mouth if her life depended on it. Not even a lobbed mini-marshmallow. Will work on an empty peanut butter jar for hours. Not only is she intrinsically an awesome toy, but she's a great diversion from how immature many of my actions are. Seriously, with the exception of perhaps walking around in a giant diaper and bib, anything you are doing is cool if you've got a dog with you.

    My favorite example was cabbage night a few years ago. I have a bunch of 10 year olds with me armed with tp and shaving cream. They know to hit the bushes when a car comes. I keep walking, Trillie by my side, wave to the cop. He drives by figuring I'm just a concerned citizen out on patrol. With my K-9 unit no less. I gots it going ON! Clearly if I'd seen something I'd have told him what I saw and which way they went. Right?

    • Deartháir
      May 27, 2011 at 10:13 am · Reply

      Part of the fun of being older (not a "grown up") is that I'm older than most of the RCMP officers around here. This means they almost never suspect me of shenanigans or goings-on. It's like a cloak of invisibility!

  • engineerd
    May 27, 2011 at 9:35 am · Reply

    Last night, after running up and down the stairs on the job site (who's stupid idea was it to put the mechanical room upstairs?) Mrs. engineerd wanted me to bring some boxes of books up from the basement so she could put them on our bookshelves today. Grumbling, I obliged while she was at dinner with a friend. However, while looking throiugh some of these boxes something magical happened. Something that brings a grin to my face even now: I found 4 Matchbox cars I had forgotten I even had. Not only that, but they are special Ford 100th Anniversary ones — A 64.5 and 2001 Mustang and a Ford Model T truck and Expedition. I was giddy.

    I still love Matchbox and Hot Wheels, and even though I don't usually zoom them all around the living room any more, I like playing with them from time to time while trying to think of to write about for my next Atomic Toasters article.

    • SSurfer321
      May 27, 2011 at 9:46 am · Reply

      I still zoom mine around. My cat's chase them and bat them around.
      I don't collect them anymore but if while grocery shopping, one catches mine or The Mrs. eye, we'll pick it up.

    • Deartháir
      May 27, 2011 at 10:15 am · Reply

      I… um…. yeah, I still zoom them around too. While making engine noises. BRRRRRMMMMMMMMM!

      Mostly, I still do it because that's what you're supposed to do with a toy car!

    • tiberiusẅisë
      May 27, 2011 at 10:58 am · Reply

      I have a few on display at my desk. One is a Bandit Trans Am I've had since I was a tween.

      • engineerd
        May 27, 2011 at 4:39 pm · Reply

        Most of mine are on display at my desk, as well. I also have a Mr. Potatohead (which I do occasionally play with), a Magic 8-Ball (which I use to make work-related decisions, so it's not really playing) and a Coach Kampe (Oakland University basketball) bobblehead.

  • Alff
    May 27, 2011 at 9:36 am · Reply

    Dad's American Legion ball glove, from the early '60s. My Kona hardtail mountain bike, nearly 20 years old (still have a pair of NIB over the bar shifters for it). I passed my 30 year old Stratocaster copy to my son. I still ski on an ancient pair of K2 recreationals that are signicantly taller than I am.

    Real toys? Nuthin'.

  • lilwillie
    May 27, 2011 at 9:46 am · Reply

    I've never grown up. My toys just became more expensive.

    Paintball all the time. Which means I am 37 and still playing War with my brothers and friends.

    [youtube -7zeUB6CZD4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7zeUB6CZD4 youtube]

    Lego.

    [IMG

    aastrovan
    May 27, 2011 at 9:49 am · Reply

    I still have my snorkeling rig (replacement mask) and still use it now and then

  • SSurfer321
    May 27, 2011 at 9:49 am · Reply

    I have a small remote control indoor helicopter that sees regular use.
    I play video games. Mostly online with my brother since I've moved away.
    I play with matchbox cars with my cats.
    The Mrs. and I play board games together.

    Big boy toys include my truck, rock climbing gear, snowboard and wakeboard.

  • OA5599
    May 27, 2011 at 9:55 am · Reply

    <img src="http://www.vintagetoysgames.co.uk/images/corgi_aston_martin_270_open_ns.jpg"&gt;

    I still have my old Corgi 007 DB5. I bought a modern version a few years ago (lower quality than the original) to avoid further wear and tear when my kid got old enough to play smash-em-up with his toys.

  • Number_Six
    May 27, 2011 at 10:39 am · Reply

    I may not play with my battered Matchbox cars anymore, but I think obsessively lapping the Old LeMans track with a TVR Speed Twelve in Forza counts as toy play for a 42 year-old.

    • Deartháir
      May 27, 2011 at 10:52 am · Reply

      Good god, I forgot you were that old. I think just being able to stand up unaided is pretty damn good for a 42-year-old…

      • tiberiusẅisë
        May 27, 2011 at 11:00 am · Reply

        Get off my lawn. (I'm 43)

        • mdharrell
          May 27, 2011 at 11:28 am · Reply

          Ha! I'm still 42 for another four weeks, so there!

          • P161911
            May 27, 2011 at 11:37 am

            I wouldn't be surprised if the average age around here is late 30s/early 40s. There are a few older and a few younger, but many seem to fall into 35-45 range.

          • MrHowser
            May 27, 2011 at 11:43 am

            Makes my almost-26 feel positively spritely.

          • Deartháir
            May 27, 2011 at 12:19 pm

            You're actually bang-on correct, although lately its been skewing slightly higher, if the Facebook demographics are any indication at all. And interestingly, 'Toasters has more representation in the Under-18 demographic and in the Over-65 demographic, per capita, than Hooniverse does, by quite a bit.

            Just thought that was interesting…

          • engineerd
            May 27, 2011 at 4:41 pm

            I'm only 34 for 8 more days.

            Yay! I'll finally be average in something, rather than below average!

          • jjd241
            May 28, 2011 at 5:55 pm

            I Feel 20, Look 30 (so I tell myself) but will be 50 soon! I just got my wife (60) a Lego set (500+ piece "The Burrow" from Harry Potter). She was so disappointed when Santa didn't bring it last Christmas, I had to get it for her birthday. We also have the regular age related joke, but my response is that "I am way more than 5".

      • Number_Six
        May 27, 2011 at 12:17 pm · Reply

        I'd wave my blackthorn cane at you if I could without hip failure and subsequent multiple fractures!

  • tonyola
    May 27, 2011 at 11:14 am · Reply

    No, but I also date back to the late hippie days and the '70s. We tossed Frisbees around because they were fun, not because they were hip. You could be stoned and still effectively participate, unlike rugby or football. And PBR is horse piss.

    • Deartháir
      May 27, 2011 at 1:04 pm · Reply

      I need a flow-chart. Because the mantra of the hipster is, "I was into that before it was mainstream", and Hipsterism is now mainstream, and you were rockin' the Frisbee before it went mainstream into Hipsterism…

      …oh fuck, I think I sprained my brain.

  • lilwillie
    May 27, 2011 at 11:21 am · Reply

    I always forget the video games are a kid thing also. I guess it has just always been there for me since they arrived.

    Lots of single player for me also. Arma, Arma2.Civ series. Total War. Sim City. GTA series. Oblivion. Fallout 3.

    • P161911
      May 27, 2011 at 11:36 am · Reply

      With all the paintball I'm surprised you aren't into the Modern Warfare, Bad Company, or Medal of Honor online stuff.
      I stick to the semi-realistic first person shooters or racing sims mostly. I did play a little bit of Bad Company online for a while.
      I still have my Atari 2600, my Sega Genesis, and my PS1-3. The Atari, Sega, and PS1 are packed away though.

      • lilwillie
        May 27, 2011 at 1:21 pm · Reply

        I've stayed away from the main stream shooters because they aren't even close to realistic. Way to linear for me. The Bohemia Interactive (OFP, Arma, Arma2) series is about the closet FPS game I can find. Add in the sand box style and open modding. Perfect game.

  • skitter
    May 27, 2011 at 11:48 am · Reply

    Things are better than ever, thanks to better access to the tools necessary for my wild plans. Also, one of the best movies I saw last year was The Secret of Kells, which was traditionally, spectacularly animated, properly frightening, and rounded rather than anvilicious.

  • RSDeuce
    May 27, 2011 at 12:14 pm · Reply

    Growing up was fun, but not as much fun as growing right back down on occasion.

    I buy toys constantly. Terrorizing the cat with Legos, Nerf guns, and RC helicopters… If it is cheap and fun I will buy it.

    Still got Hot Wheels, and my Mom always sends cheap dollar store toys for birthdays and Christmas.

    Video Games too, mostly single player (though I do get into CoD and Halo and Forza on occasion.)

    I have a modded original XBOX with every gaming system up to the original Playstation on it. I love the thing, lots of nostalgia there…

    Oh, and I keep Buckyballs (google em, little magnetic balls that are great for building neat things with) at the desk and on my coffee table at home. I play with them whenever my hands aren't busy (training videos or reading long and boring documents.)

  • ZomBee Racer
    May 27, 2011 at 12:31 pm · Reply

    I will never ever ever ever ever (ever ever ever) let this go.

    Ever.

    <img src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/247934_2101772828461_1369652107_2476922_1369112_n.jpg&quot; width="500">
    1978 JAG BMX in Licorice Black with Pineapple-Gold MOTOMAG II wheels. It was at the time, the coolest bike a kid could get. My own version of "Black Goooooooold…. " http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWF-hH1nloo
    <img src="http://www.vintagemongoose.com/images/products/jag-standard.jpg&quot; width="500">

    • lilwillie
      May 27, 2011 at 7:20 pm · Reply

      Lots of cool with that bike. I still have my first bike…somewhere in the barn.

      • FuzzyPlushroom
        May 28, 2011 at 6:22 am · Reply

        My first bike was a training-wheeled cheapo, while my second was a used Giant – which I outgrew by the time I was twelve, but still have. (It had a few parts borrowed from it, since I've always tinkered with things, but it's still a solid base – I'm in the process of giving it away this weekend, in fact, since I'm paring down the things I don't use and to which I have little attachment.)

        Now, the bike that followed (the Pumpkin)… well, I worked out at one point that I've probably piloted that about half as far in the past seven or so years as I have Violet in the past two. It's staying with me forever.

  • mr. mzs zsm msz esq
    May 27, 2011 at 1:51 pm · Reply

    <img src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249381_674287046220_2912893_35073328_5189415_n.jpg&quot; width="500">
    I guess now that I think about it I have not grown-up as much as I thought. This image sums it up pretty well. I made another Lego turret this week this time with my youngest son. I play car/board games almost every day with my wife and/or kids. I play video games with them too pretty often.

  • earlofhalflight
    May 27, 2011 at 3:32 pm · Reply

    My slot car track.

    The look on my mother-in-law's face the day she realised it was for me and not the kids was priceless.

    • Deartháir
      May 27, 2011 at 4:12 pm · Reply

      Bwahahaha I've had a few moments like that. I walked into work with a bag from Toys 'R' Us, and got greeted by the squealing girly-girl contingent at my workplace who all adore children and think they're god's precious little gifts. I, on the other hand, do not like children at all. So it was quite enjoyable to watch them squee and come running to see what presents I had bought for these adorable little children of mine that they had never known I had. And then even more enjoyable to shut them right down by telling them the toys were for me, and I wouldn't ever share my toys with a child, be it my own or anyone else's.

  • Lotte
    May 27, 2011 at 8:58 pm · Reply

    I'm not as old as most of you here, so I'm still looking for ways to grow the hell up; be responsible, know how to talk, when to take charge, trying to 'read' other people, etc. Sooner rather than later I'll somehow thrust myself upon the fabric of society, wherever and however that's going to be (*shudder). I really don't know how that's going to unfold…That said, stuff like yesterday's back-and-forth give me the courage to be a little childish at times; I'm not shy to bring up sillier ideas when working, even though some might get shot down. I play mostly with ideas, some form development, and constantly ask myself wouldn't it be awesome if…", willing that train of thought as far forward as I practically can. I think I need to keep the spirit and the enthusiasm, if anything.

    As for toys, I have a newly-acquired Hot Wheels Ford Torino Talledega and a Tomica Subaru WRX STi, two Tomica taxis, and an unidentifiable orange sports car. There's also a bunch of 1/24 plastic models in various states of assembly. I need to get something like a display case built just so I have room to place all of them!

  • McQueen
    May 28, 2011 at 12:51 am · Reply

    I haven't seen this one mentioned yet Tonka Trucks, my boy inherited all of the ones I played with as a child ( the functional ones , many casualties ) we play with them daily

    • Number_Six
      May 28, 2011 at 5:05 am · Reply

      My mum drove over my Tonkas relentlessly, so I never had a chance to keep them. *sniff*

      • Deartháir
        May 28, 2011 at 10:23 pm · Reply

        I grew up at the very tail end of the era when Tonka trucks were metal. Almost immediately after me, they switched to crappy plastic, and I remember friends only a year or two younger than me coming over and getting all jealous because my Tonka toys were tetanus-inducing rusty steel, rather than their cheap plastic.

        • Mr_Biggles
          May 29, 2011 at 2:53 pm · Reply

          They brought the classic steel dump truck back out (or it never went plastic with the rest, not sure). I bought one for my 3 year old daughter for Christmas. She LOVES it. Runs around bent over with here hands on either side of the box in that classic and timeless pose. Every time I look at it I'm tempted to leave it out in the yard and rub it with sand to give it the "proper" Tonka look.

    • engineerd
      May 30, 2011 at 5:59 am · Reply

      My wife knows the moment we have a boy I'm buying the entire Tonka collection.

      Sadly, I don't think any of mine survived my childhood. That poor, poor front-end loader.

  • aastrovan
    May 28, 2011 at 6:59 am · Reply

    Reading these comments makes me want to go fly a kite.

  • Mr_Biggles
    May 29, 2011 at 2:55 pm · Reply

    I still giggle uncontrollably when in control of bottle rockets.

    And for the record, just like a number of folk who posted above, I'm a June baby as well and just approaching 42. Sounds like June is a big party month for the Toaster denizens.

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